Amazing Spider-Man
# 161-170

October 1976
Amazing Spider-Man # 161: "... And the Nightcrawler Came Prowling"  
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
Peter Parker and Mary Jane are out on the town enjoying some time with Harry and Liz until a deadly sniper strikes. Spidey investigates and comes across the mutant known as Nightcrawler and takes him for the sniper. After a brief battle, Nightcrawler teleports away and Spidey decides to continue his investigation. They run into each other again and continue their fight until it's interrupted by the Punisher who believes that one of them is impersonating him. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Cameo appearances by Wolverine and Colossus.

November 1976
Amazing Spider-Man # 162: "Let the Punisher Fit the Crime"  
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
The Punisher tries to take on both Spidey and Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler makes his exit which leaves Spidey to work with the Punisher to track down the sniper. They run into Jigsaw whose thugs manage to capture Spidey and use him as bait to draw out the Punisher. Nightcrawler joins the fun and comes to Spidey's rescue. Together they take down Jigsaw and discover that he was responsible for the sniper killings.

December 1976
Amazing Spider-Man # 163: "All the Kingpin's Men!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis: 
Spidey stumbles onto a high-speed robbery but he's unable to prevent the henchmen from stealing the desired cargo. Peter's friends chip in and furnish his apartment. Spidey does a bit more investigating into the robbery and it turns out that the Kingpin is behind it. He attacks the Kingpin and his near-victory is turned into a defeat as the Kingpin gasses him. Spidey awakens to discover that he's strapped to a device that will drain his life to save the Kingpin's son.

January 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 164: "Deadline!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis: 
Spidey's lifeforce is drained to save the Kingpin's son. Spidey barely manages to reach Dr. Conners who devises a way for Spidey to steal back his lifeforce. Still weakened, Spidey catches up with the Kingpin and his son and steals back his lifeforce. A furious Kingpin takes on Spidey alone, but this time Spidey comes out on top and the Kingpin apparently plunges to a watery grave. The temporary boost of Spidey's lifeforce was enough to rejuvenate Richard Fisk's dying body.

February 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 165: "Stegron Stalks the City!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
Spidey's unable to stop a robbery in a scientific lab and a mysterious figure escapes with some materials. It turns out to be Stegron, the Dinosaur Man, and he in turn kidnaps Dr. Connors' son to get Dr. Connors to work with the recently stolen materials. Mary Jane and Peter are finally able to short things out about her dating Flash and where their relationship stands. Stegron reanimates a couple of dinosaur skeletons and lets them loose on a rampage. Spidey interferes and fights with Stegron. Unfortunately, Stegron gains the upper hand and makes his escape. Meanwhile, Dr. Conners, overwhelmed by the stress and stain, transforms into the Lizard.

Jay's Notes:
  • Stegron last seen in Marvel Team-Up #20.
  • In the opening scene Spidey gets beat up in the dark which doesn't make much sense to me as his Spider-Sense would have helped him avoid Stegron's attack.

March 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 166: "War of the Reptile-Men!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
Spidey checks in on Dr. Connors and is attacked by the Lizard. After a brief scuffle, the Lizard escapes and Spidey consoles Mrs. Connors. The Lizard tracks down Stegron and attacks him, but not before Stegron reanimates several dinosaurs. Spidey joins in and manages to give the Lizard the cure that turns him back to normal. Spidey catches up with Stegron and rescues Dr. Connors' son. Stegron eludes Spidey but apparently dies. Meanwhile, Harry proposes to Liz and she accepts.

April 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 167: "...Stalked by the Spider-Slayer!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis: 
J. Jonah Jameson flexes his muscles as the Spider-Slayer, but Spidey gets away. Spidey steals some evidence from J. Jonah Jameson's office and has a run-in with the Will-O'-Wisp, who is also very interested in the evidence. And just to add some spice to the mix, the Spider-Slayer shows up for round two. 

Jay's Notes: 

  • First appearance of Will-O'-Wisp.

May 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 168: "Murder on the Wind!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ

Synopsis: 
Will-O'-Wisp and the Spider-Slayer, controlled by J. Jonah Jameson, battle it out while Spidey takes the opportunity to escape with the evidence. Jonas Harrow isn't pleased with the Will-O'-Wisp's failure and threatens to destroy him if he doesn't kill Spidey. He finds Spidey and battles him, but can't go through with killing him. Harrow destroys the Will-O'-Wisp for his betrayal. 

Jay's Notes: 

  • Will-O'-Wisp is next seen in Amazing Spider-Man #233.

June 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 169: "Confrontation" 
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
J. Jonah Jameson pays a visit to Peter's apartment and confronts him about his belief that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.  Peter looks over the photo evidence that JJJ presents him and comes up with a good enough story to convince JJJ that he isn't Spider-Man. Afterwords, Spidey out on patrol spots a mysterious figure and follows him. He discovers a secret base run by Doctor Faustus.

Jay's Notes:
  • Doctor Faustus last seen in Captain America #192.

July 1977
Amazing Spider-Man # 170: "Madness is all in the Mind!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Ross Andru 
Inker: Mike Esposito/Frank Giacoia
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
Spidey confronts Dr. Faustus and is suddenly attacked by a horde of his deadliest enemies. The illusion is generated by Dr. Faustus who takes advantage of the situation to drug Spidey into submission. Spidey helps Dr. Faustus and his men break into a secret laboratory and get his hands on a new additive that will help him control the world. Fortunately, Spidey breaks Dr. Faustus' hynoptic spell and proceeds to wipe the floor with Dr. Faustus and his men.
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